Synthesis of a New Benzoate Plasticizer for Polyvinyl Chloride Based on a 2-Ethylhexanol By-Product

When 2-ethylhexyl alcohol is produced by the propylene oxo synthesis, 2-ethylhexanol distillation residue (EDR), a large-tonnage by-product, is formed. Monitoring of various batches of this by-product produced by LLC “Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat” showed demonstrated in addition to the main substance 2-ethylhexanol, 2,4-diethyl-1,3-octanediol is present in a significant amount (15–25%). The purpose of the work was to study the possibility of producing a benzoate plasticizer based on a fraction isolated from EDR and enriched with 2,4-diethyl-1,3-octanediol. As a result of research, a product was synthesized containing 76.2% of benzoic acid esters, including 53.1% of mixture of 2,4-diethyl-1,3-octanediol monobenzoates and monoalcohols C8, C12, and 23.1% of 2,4-diethyl-1,3-octanediol dibenzoate. The product exhibited good compatibility with polyvinyl chloride and plasticizing properties.